Deckin' Them Halls!

A few days before Thanksgiving, we officially got the house ready for Christmas. To me, the Christmas season starts November 1st, and I'd decorate then if Josh would let me (I've been known to do that in the past). :) A few years back, Josh bought a 13-foot Christmas tree from a friend at work, and it is massive. Everyone refers to it as the "Griswald Tree," and we had a really difficult time fitting it into the living room since we have a new pit-group couch this year. In order to make it work, we had to take the couch apart, and put the tree in a brand new spot that it's never been before.....still, it winded up being just fine, even though Josh and I almost choked each other out in deciding what to do. :) :)

Every year, Mama and Lea come to help put up the monster. But this year, Mama had thrown her back out like an old woman!! Normally, she's my little elf who climbs the ladder and decorates where no one else can. Here's a picture from last year to show how she NORMALLY participates.....

But this year, she had to sit out and watch. :( But she helped in any way she could. Here she is fixing my bow....

We finally got it up!! Even without the help of my little elf. :)

Nora and Ella also decorate their little red tree that goes in their ladybug-themed room each year....

And they also decorated a pink one for Claira's room (this was actually Mammie's tree last year, so it's extra-special). :)

Once all the decorations were up, we had to take a few Christmas pictures....especially since it's Claira's first Christmas. As you can see, she loves Christmas lights (and loves to suck her fingers)...

 Here's the girls helping to put out their Christmas train that goes around our tree (one of their FAVORITE Christmas "things"). Grandmama gave us this when Nora was a baby.

The train tends to entertain Ella for a REALLLLY long time. :)

 Finally, meet JoJo, our little elf. Every night, JoJo flies to the the North Pole to report the girls' behavior to Santa Claus, and each morning, he's in a different location. Sometimes, he might even play a little trick or two. :)

The girls' behavior is SIGNIFICANTLY better when JoJo is watching.....he may have to start making his appearance in July. :)

 'Tis the Season!!

Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra!!!!!! :)